Craftsmanship of the Subcontinent

The gifts presented to the Prince display the remarkable range of Indian craftsmanship. The Indian rulers had been advised to present gifts to the Prince of Wales of local manufacture using techniques, designs and forms associated with the specific regions he visited. The development of many of these techniques had historically benefitted from the patronage of the Indian courts.

Some gifts were produced using forms and designs aimed towards the European market. This growing interest in Indian design in the late nineteenth century stemmed from the numerous international exhibitions that had been staged to display alongside each other examples of goods from numerous countries. At the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, objects displayed from the Indian subcontinent were highly commended both for their design and exquisite craftsmanship.